This button is semi-documented as having come from the Button Factory circa 1880-1900 in Gaysville Vermont. It came from the estate sale of Robert Leavitt in Randolp Vermont. The Green Man is a Pagan representation of nature popular during the Victorian era. Many brass buttons are available, but this is the first example utilizing the carved vegetable ivory beading, and hand worked construction methods that I have ever seen. If any one has a further information concerning my item I would greatly appreciate it.
Vegetable ivory is a material that comes from the dried nut of the Corozo palm. It was used in the manufacturing of huge amounts of utilitarian buttons from around 1860 forward. Around 1930-1950 it fell out of use due to the advent of cheap plastics. Since 1970 its use for buttons has seen a resurgence with the emphasis on using renewable resources and environmentally friendly materials.